Skip to main content
WhenToVisitParks

Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park in May

Average1.1× average month · best-time score 62/100

May at Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park averages a daytime high near 82°F and an overnight low around 63°F, with about 3.3" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 1.1× the park's average month, which makes May an average month here.

Average low
63°F
Average high
82°F

Range across the year: 37°F to 91°F

Crowds
1.1× averageAverage
  1. J
  2. F
  3. M
  4. A
  5. M
  6. J
  7. J
  8. A
  9. S
  10. O
  11. N
  12. D
Precipitation
3.3 in
Daylight
13.7 hours

Roughly 9% of the park's yearly visitors come in May: about 58,000 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979 to 2025.

That makes May the 6th-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the July peak (1.5×) and the January low (0.5×).

On our Best Time to Visit score May rates 62/100 ("Good"). Our recommended month is November: pleasant weather with noticeably thinner crowds (shoulder season).

The daily average of about 73°F is a comfortable range for hiking and being outdoors all day. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 0.9 miles from the park.

Because June, July and August together draw about 34% of annual visitors, choosing May instead steps outside that summer crush — the single biggest lever on how crowded the park feels.

You'll have about 13.7 hours of daylight in May to explore — between the 9.9-hour midwinter low and the 14.1-hour summer high.

Park-wide, 2025 drew 814,658 recreation visits, up 112% from 384,308 in 2024.

Across the past decade overall visitation has eased about 39.7%, so May may feel a touch quieter than it once did.

How May compares with the months around it

MonthAvg high / lowCrowdsBest-time score
April75°F / 54°F1.3× Busy52 Fair
May82°F / 63°F1.1× Average62 Good
June88°F / 70°F1.4× Busy37 Poor

All twelve months at Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie, with the best time to visit.

Reviewed by WhenToVisitParks Editorial Team · Updated

Frequently Asked Questions

May averages a daytime high near 82°F and an overnight low around 63°F at Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park, with about 3.3 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 0.9 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.

May is average at Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park (about 1.1× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Good" at 62/100. Our recommended month is November.

The busiest month is July and the quietest is January. May sits at about 1.1× the park's average, or 9% of annual visitation.

A typical May sees about 58,000 recreation visits at Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.

Where to stay near Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie in May

Booking a May trip to Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live May availability and prices.

Top-rated places to stay near Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie

Prices for Oct 30–Nov 1, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.

Availability and prices from Stay22 partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia). We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.

Visiting Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie in May?

Get crowd forecasts and lodging deals for Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie by email. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

See the full ranking of the best national parks to visit in May.

Source: National Park Service Visitor Use Statistics (1979–2025), NOAA NCEI Climate Normals 1991–2020. Updated 2026-10-11.